Senior Sponsorship Activation Manager

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Generous leave

Career development

Exposure to sports marketing projects

Hybrid work culture

Job summary

Placements24 in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, is seeking a Senior Sponsorship Activation Manager to turn sponsorship agreements into impactful campaigns for sports clients. This hybrid role blends strategic planning with hands-on execution.

You will lead activation programs, manage budgets, collaborate with partners and internal teams, and mentor juniors while staying ahead of trends in sports marketing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field.
• 5+ years in sponsorship marketing, brand management or event marketing with activation focus.
• Strong project management, budgeting, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute innovative sponsorship activation strategies.
• Manage end-to-end campaign implementation within budget.
• Align activation plans with corporate partner objectives.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to bring concepts to life.
• Measure ROI and report campaign performance to clients.
• Guide junior team members on activation best practices.
• Ensure compliance with contracts and brand guidelines.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic sports marketing agency with a growing client base, is seeking a Senior Sponsorship Activation Manager to join their team in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga . This role is critical in ensuring that sponsored properties deliver maximum value and engagement for our client's corporate partners. You will be responsible for translating sponsorship agreements into tangible, impactful marketing campaigns and experiences that resonate with target audiences. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of sponsorship activation, creative marketing strategies, and excellent project management skills. This hybrid position requires a blend of strategic planning and hands-on execution, offering flexibility for focused work and collaborative sessions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute innovative sponsorship activation strategies for a diverse portfolio of sports clients.
• Manage the end-to-end process of campaign implementation, ensuring timely delivery and within budget.
• Liaise closely with corporate partners to understand their objectives and ensure activation plans align with their brand values.
• Collaborate with internal teams (marketing, digital, creative) and external agencies to bring activation concepts to life.
• Measure and report on the effectiveness of sponsorship activation campaigns, demonstrating ROI to clients.
• Identify opportunities for enhancing existing activations and creating new engagement platforms.
• Manage relationships with vendors, suppliers, and talent involved in activation activities.
• Stay current with industry trends in sports marketing, experiential events, and digital engagement.
• Provide strategic guidance to junior team members on activation best practices.
• Ensure all activities comply with contractual obligations and brand guidelines.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in sponsorship marketing, brand management, or event marketing, with a focus on activation.
• Proven ability to develop and execute successful marketing campaigns and promotional activities.
• Strong understanding of the South African sports landscape and corporate partner objectives.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and budget management skills.
• Creative thinking and a passion for developing engaging brand experiences.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with marketing analytics platforms.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, both independently and collaboratively.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for events and client meetings in and around Nelspruit .

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Performance-based incentives and bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• Exposure to exciting sports marketing projects and high-profile brands.
• A flexible and supportive hybrid work culture in Nelspruit .